This early in the season, most Major League Soccer teams are defined by their flaws.
The Sounders, still scarred by Obafemi Martins’ abrupt departure, haven’t developed an offensive identity.
Vancouver has looked oddly stodgy, and apparently every Timber save Darlington Nagbe has ligaments made of dental floss. Columbus lacks the spark that lit up last season’s Eastern Conference title, and the Red Bulls’ negative-10 (!) goal differential hints at some deep-seated structural issues.
Yet Dallas has only built on last season’s run to the Western Conference finals.
FCD won at Portland last Wednesday and downed Kansas City via a Mauro Rosales free kick on Sunday, going three points clear in the way-too-early Supporters’ Shield standings.